Join the Military
Hi Friends,
Joining the military has been something I've considered for years. Now that I've been in the work force for a few years, my desire is getting stronger. I have a young daughter, however, and even though my wife is a military brat herself, I am hesitant based on what it would do to my family. But dang, there are some awesome jobs in the miliary, especially after sitting at a desk all day!
Thoughts? How have you all thought through this?
Joining the military has been something I've considered for years. Now that I've been in the work force for a few years, my desire is getting stronger. I have a young daughter, however, and even though my wife is a military brat herself, I am hesitant based on what it would do to my family. But dang, there are some awesome jobs in the miliary, especially after sitting at a desk all day!
Thoughts? How have you all thought through this?
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Alan Rosenhan on -
I am considering the same thing. I am in a slightly different situation though, I'm getting ready to graduate from college and get married in a couple of months. I have been talking to everyone I know who has even a modicum of experience in this to get their advice, one of my friends is married with a young son and he is about to be commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the Army. He and his wife have talked it over and they are prepared for it.
Ask your wife, find out what the challenges were for her parents and her siblings. Talk to her parents, talk to her siblings, but most of all talk to her. I have been hashing this out in my mind and talking with my fiancee about this for six months, so if she's not sick of talking about this by now, she should at least be ready.
My thoughts are, it is one of the biggest commitments you could ever make and one of the most worthwhile choices you could make. If you do make the decision and join up, go whole hog. The hardship on your family can be mitigated, but the experiences you will have can never be duplicated.
-
Permalink Reply by Cameron Schaefer on
-
Hey John,
That's awesome that you're thinking of joining the military, it's an incredible profession for sure. Which service/field are you looking at? I've only been in the Air Force for a few years, but if you have any questions please let me know, I'd be happy to give you any information I have.
-
Permalink Reply by Matt Sheldon on
-
I am only a sophomore in High school so i still have a ways, but i want to join for the hands on jobs and physically straining parts. I am always pushing myself to the point where it is dangerous sometimes, and i love being outside. However i am smart, i have a 4.06 and my mom and dad would be very upset if i put that aside and didn't go to college. I also am athletic and am starting on the varsity soccer team as a sophomore and want to continue that in college. I am stuck.
For your situation i think you should discuss it with your wife. I heard the military can be one of the most memorable and best things in your life. I don't know that much about it, but i would push for you to go since you are not happy with your job, Again i have no experience at all.
-
Permalink Reply by Matt Russell on -
Matt. My advice to you. If you are truly interested in the military, and your parents want you to go to school and get an education, you can easily achieve both. Option 1. You could seek an appointment to one of the military academies (i.e, US Naval Academy, USAF Academy, West Point), they do, however, require the sponsorship of a US senator from your home state. Option 2. Whenever considering colleges look to see if the offer any ROTC programs, ROTC is the path where you take military classes while going to college, and upon graduation you are commissioned and officer in the military. Option 3. Go to college, get your degree, and after graduating you can apply of Officer Candidate School, where you go through a few weeks of training and come out an officer. Myself, I joined the Navy Reserve a few months back, I will have to take a semester off of college for my training, however, the Navy will also pay for my remaining years of college, and after I graduate I plan on going to Naval OCS and becoming a flight officer in the Navy. Hope I was able to help you out some.
-
Permalink Reply by Armand G De Cesare on -
Appointments to one of the U.S. military academies can be won a different number of ways; sponsorship by a member of congress is only one of them. Write to the academy of choice (admissions) and they will send you information about how to get an appointment. I got my appointment through a member of the house of representatives whom I never met--he turned me over to the Naval Academy appointment system where I took a competitive exam (I think they use the SAT now), received a physical exam, and took a PT test. Good luck.
Armand
-
Permalink Reply by Michael J. Austin on -
John,
I spent 9 years in the Air Force joining when I was 20 and it was the best choice I made for my life that set me up for greater opportunities. First and foremost the travel ... 9 countries and 20 states on Uncle Sam's dime was experiences that will stay with me a life time. My son (now 20) was 2 months old when I spent a 1 year remote tour in Korea and yes I missed a lot but with web cams now, it would be like you are just in the next room. What ever choice you make, make it with your wife and be ready for some tough times, but I do believe in the end if you select the military path you will be happy and a proud member of the Veteran Brotherhood.
-
Permalink Reply by Armand G De Cesare on
-
John and all the others thinking about a military career--
I decided I wanted to join up--more specifically go to the Naval Academy--when I was 14. I focused my life toward that goal and when the time came (junior in high school) I applied. I was very fortunate in that I won a principle appointment. To say the least, it was an exciting four years; not all of it happy, but I stuck it out and after seeing several countries during summer cruises (on a battleship, a destroyer, a missile cruiser, and a volunteer cruise on a submarine) I graduated and went to sea on a brand new tin can (destroyer). Nothing like the civilian world--early responsibility as an officer of the deck in port and underway, leadership positions, technical assignments (chief engineer).
Without going into the gruesome details, the Navy and I discovered I was color blind (it wasn't strong, I could tell the difference between red and green, etc). In the Navy at that time you could not be color blind and be an officer of the line, so I became and Engineering Duty Officer (no more sea duty). Not what I wanted, so I transferred to the Army as an Infantry officer. Something I never regretted. Part of the next 16 years was two years in Vietnam as an infantry adviser to a South Vietnamese battalion, then as a rifle company commander, and finally as a brigade intelligence officer. I don't have the words to describe what that was like and even though I was wounded in combat I enjoyed the experiences and wouldn't have traded them even to be the CEO of Wells Fargo.
I think the military experience is one of the true elements of manliness and I can't recommend it strongly enough.
Armand G De Cesare
-
Permalink Reply by Viva la Vida! on -
Guys
I'll say it now, I'll say it loud, and I'll say it clear. The Army Rocks!!!! I'm a uni student in Australia and am doing officer training with the Australian Army Reserve. Never have I been more challenged, scared, extended and exhilirated.
A real sense of urgency and immediacy is thrust on you when you're given a team to lead and command, or when learning how to use a new weapon system, or when doing exercises and you're ambushed at night. I can say that as a result of my training, the quiet introverted dreamer has become confident, in charge and in control, and with lots of cool experiences to boot.
If you're thinking about the military, do it! If not as a full timer, then part time, I'm sure the US has a reserve program. I've got so many good memories in the past year of doing training. There are so many memories which could be lifted out of cinema, except guess what, it isn't.
Living life for real is so enjoyable. Don't be one of the passive people who watches TV and the movies, numbly listening to radio and casually reading blogs. Don't let life pass you by. Chase your dream and taste the sweet savour of living the life you know you want to live.
Matt, have you thought about Westpoint? Becoming an officer and getting a uni degree. I don't know much but there's ROTC. Being in the armed forces doesn't mean that you can't have intellectual pursuits. In the Australian Army all officers are strongly recommended to have a university degree if they haven't already got one, many going further to do masters.
-
Permalink Reply by Joel Benge on
-
I'm past the age to enlist myself. However, my father just retired for the US Air Force after 30 years. I can tell you that the respect I hold for him is incredible.
As for myself, I went into high school and college as a typical theater/artsy farsty type. I missed my chance. Now, in my 30's, I am reevaluating my life and am actually entering federal civilian service with a job in DC soon (fingers crossed). You can serve in many ways. But I don't think any are as sacrificing and rewarding as military service.
-
Permalink Reply by SpenceGould on -
I enlisted in the USMC Reserves during college. I was having a lousy go at school. My discipline and focus were none existent. I needed to get my Manhood screwed on much tighter. The Corps was exactly what I needed!
I offer two things for you to think about. Remember the 50/50 rule. In the military, 50% of the things you must deal with day to day ROCK! 50% of the things you have to deal with day to day SUCK! The 50% that rocks REALLY, REALLY ROCKS! The 50% that sucks REALLY, REALLY SUCKS! If you can wrap your brain around that, then you'll be fine.
Second, be crystal clear that you are joining a fight club. You'll be trained to fight with lethal force. The "awesome jobs", uniforms, and parades are great, but the point of the military is to enforce US Policy with violence if need be. Your primary Standing Order during a time of conflict is to seek, engage, and destroy enemies in direct contact. We are currently fighting two wars and you may very well be called to duty to use deadly force (w/o an eye-blink of hesitation) to defend yourself, your buddies, your position, and/or this nation. If that sort of thing fucks with you, then you may want to reconsider.
No shame if you decide that it's not for you. I'm proud of you for even considering it!
Whatever your final decision, Godspeed and Oorah!
-
Permalink Reply by Mike on
-
I'd also like to point out that if the war fighting doesn't seem like your idea of a good time, the US Coast Guard is also a phenomenal service that do great things everyday, right here in your own backyard. I personally find no greater satisfaction of service when I'm able to rescue someone from certain death because they got themselves in trouble and I showed up to work that day to prevent that. Additionally, they don't require a war to be busy, believe it or not, but Americans require some form of maritime assistance on a daily basis.
Just some food for thought...
-
Permalink Reply by Clark Adams on -
I've been a Soldier for 12 years an can't imagine doing anything else. If you join, you will have opportunities to see and do things that your current friends and coworkers can't even imagine. You will become accustomed to doing hard things, and soon activities that would debilitate the "Average Joe" in the mall won't even slow you down. The sense of camaraderie, developed through shared accomplishment and hardships, is unmatched anywhere in our society.
As important as the personal gains and satisfaction will be your contribution to your nation. Regardless of your politics, this country is sending its men abroad to wage war. This large burden is currently being carried by a tiny fraction of our men. If you take up military service you will save some other man from having to do your share. It sucks spending the holidays or anniversaries away from home, but I find some satisfaction in the knowledge that someone else didn't miss 2 (or 3, or 4...) holidays because I have picked up a part of the work.
Military service poses challenges to families but like all experiences these challenges can be positive or negative. I married my wife ten years ago, six weeks before going to my first duty station in Germany. Being young, newly married, in a strange country, and frequently separated for weeks was a challenge but it matured us quickly and made my wife a stronger and more independent woman. Don't worry about what the military will "do to" your family. If you have a good relationship, the military will present incredible opportunities and your family can find the lifestyle as satisfying as you do.
I'll end with a caveat. If you're considering joining to broaden your horizons and see new things, please do. You will find both. If you are tempted by enlistment bonuses, scholarships, or other loot, please do not. This work is hard and, when things are hardest, Soldiers motivated by money only find it much harder to keep performing.
Good luck.
Subscribe to the Art of Manliness Blog
AoM T-shirts
© 2010 Created by Brett McKay
